In this study, we present a successful simple method for printing and finishing of polyester and cotton fabrics using gold and silver nanoparticles (Au-NPs and Ag-NPs, respectively) as stable, fast colorants and functional components. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bands of the colloidal gold and silver NPs were observed at λ_max 520 nm and 450 nm, respectively, indicating the presence of spherical Au-NPs and Ag-NPs, which was further confirmed by TEM analysis. The printed samples were subjected to SEM, XRD and EDX analyses. The SEM images and EDX spectra unequivocally confirmed the existence of embedded NPs on the fabric surfaces. Both the cotton and polyester samples possessed excellent color fastness, as indicated from the color fastness test. The functional properties of the printed fabrics indicated that the incorporation of Au-NPs and Ag-NPs into the fabrics simultaneously imparted multifunctional properties such as stable brilliant colors, highly durable antimicrobial activity and very good UV-protection properties.

An inclusion complex was formed by the reaction of β -cyclodextrin (β -CD) with 4-hydroxy benzophenone (4-HBP), since β -CD acts as a hosting molecule for 4-HBP. The inclusion complex was added to a finishing bath containing citric acid (CA) and sodium hypophosphite (SHP) as a catalyst to provide the cotton fabric anti-crease and ultraviolet (UV) protection properties. Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) is the scientific term used to indicate the amount of UV protection provided to skin by fabric. The factors affecting the performance properties and UPF were studied in detail. It was noted that at 0.25 g β -CD and 4-HBP represent the optimum concentration for both of the UPF and anti-crease properties. Increasing the CA and SHP concentrations lead to an increase in the UPF and the wrinkle recovery angle (WRA), while the tensile strength of the finished fabric decreases. Also increasing the curing temperature and/or prolonging the duration enhanced the UPF and WRA. While the tensile strength decreased significantly, the durability of the UV protective cotton fabric against successive washings was evaluated at different numbers of washing cycles (0, 15, and 30 washing cycle). The finished fabrics show an excellent durability against 30 successive washing cycles.

Synthetic dyes are more available than natural dyes were in the past, because of lower prices and wider ranges of bright shades with considerably improved color fastness properties. In current years, concern for the environment has created an increasing demand for natural dyes, which are friendlier to the environment than are synthetic dyes. The aim of this work is to study the effect of dyeing cotton fabrics with both a natural dye (henna) and a synthetic dye (Remazol blue) on some mechanical properties and those of stability to light exposure. The undyed and dyed cotton fabrics were tested for their mechanical behaviors expressed as tenacity (N), elongation %, and work-breaking (N · m). They were also tested for shrinkage and crease recovery angle. The stability to light before and after 100 h exposure was examined by investigating the microstructure [using x-ray diffraction (XRD)] and macrostructure [using a scanning electron microscope (SEM)] and the reflection spectra. The results proved that the cotton samples dyed with Henna dye have higher mechanical properties than those dyed with “Remazol” reactive dye. Moreover, the light fading behaviors of both synthetic and natural dyes were studied in terms of the reflection spectra (400–800 nm), microstructure, and macrostructure of the sample's fibers.

Polyester fibers are hydrophobic in nature; most of the successful preparations such as dyeing, printing, and finishing are based on wet treatments. The plasma treatments for polyester textile surfaces using low-pressure pseudo-discharge in nitrogen as a working gas are discussed in this work. Different plasma parameters, e.g., pressures of 0.06, 0.1, and 0.2 torr; different times (15—600 s); and different currents (1—6 mA), are applied on textile samples in nitrogen plasma. The wetability of the treated specimens was increased by increasing either the electric current or the time at the treatment pressure. The plasma treatment of the polyester fabrics improved for their hygroscopicity and in turn their performances during the dyeing with disperse dye. The optimum exposuring conditions for high water absorbance and best color (expressed as the lightness (L), red-green (a), and yellow-blue (b) coordinates with the CIE Lab color measuring system) were exposure time (15 s), pressure (0.1 torr), and ...